brake pads SKODA OCTAVIA 2011 2.G / (1Z) Owner's Manual

The handbrake warning light
 lights up when the handbrake is applied, provided
the ignition is on.
A warning signal sounds and the following text appears in the Information display
if you have inadvertently driven off with the handbrake applied:
Release parking brake! (Release parking brake!)
The handbrake warning is activated if you drive at a speed of more than 6 km/h
for more than 3 seconds. WARNING
● Please note that the handbrake must be fully released. A handbrake which
is only partially released can result in the rear brakes overheating which will
have a negative effect on the operation of the brake system - risk of accident!
In addition this can result in premature wear of the rear brake pads.
● Never leave children unattended in the vehicle. The children might, for ex-
ample, release the handbrake or take the vehicle out of gear. The vehicle
might then move off - risk of accident! CAUTION
After the car has come to a stop, always first of all apply the handbrake firmly be-
fore then additionally engaging a gear (manual gearbox) or moving the selector
lever into position P (automatic gearbox). 
Rear parking aid The parking aid provides a warning of obstacles behind the vehicle.
Fig. 102 Parking aid: Detection range of
rear sensorsThe audible parking aid determines the distance from the rear bumper to an ob-
stacle behind the car with the aid of ultrasound sensors. The tones of the parking
aid can be adapted in the menu of the Information display
⇒
 page 19. The sensors
are integrated in the rear bumper.
Range of sensors
The clearance warning begins at a distance of about 160 cm from the obstacle
(area A ⇒
 
fig. 102). The interval between the warning signals becomes shorter as
the clearance is reduced.
A continuous tone sounds from a distance of approx. 30 cm (area B ) - danger
area. You should not reverse any further after this signal sounds! If the vehicle is
equipped with a factory-fitted towing device, the indication threshold of the dan-
ger area starts -

continuous tone - 5 cm further behind the vehicle. The vehicle
can be extended through an installed detachable towing device.
On factory-fitted radio navigation systems and car stereos, the distance to the ob-
struction can also be shown graphically in the display. On vehicles with a factory-
fitted towing device, the rear sensors are deactivated when towing a trailer. The
driver is informed about this by a graphic display (vehicle towing a trailer) in the
radio or the radio navigation display. In some factory fitted radios or radio naviga-
tion systems, you can configure the system to reduce the playback volume when
the parking aid is active, see the owner's manual for the radio or radio navigation
system. This makes it easier to hear the parking aid.
Activating
The parking aid is activated automatically when reverse gear is engaged and the
ignition is turned on. This is confirmed by a brief audible signal.
Deactivating
The parking aid is deactivated by removing the reverse gear. £102
Starting-off and Driving

Brakes
What has a negative effect on braking efficiency?
Wear-and-tear
Wear-and-tear to the brake pads is greatly dependent on the operating conditions
of the vehicle and your style of driving. Particularly if you drive a great deal in
towns and over short distances or if you adopt a sporty style of driving, it may be
necessary to have the thickness of the brake pads inspected at a specialist garage
between the service inspections.
Wet roads or road salt
There may be a certain delay before the brakes take full effect under certain con-
ditions such as when driving through water, during heavy rain showers or after
the vehicle has been washed in an automatic vehicle wash, since the brake discs
and brake pads may be moist or even have a coating of ice on them in winter. You
should dry the brakes as soon as possible by applying and releasing the brakes
several times.
There also may be a certain delay before the full braking efficiency is available
when driving on roads which have been treated with road salt if you have not
used the brakes for some considerable time beforehand. The layer of salt on the
brake discs and brake pads must first be rubbed off when you apply the brakes.
Corrosion
Corrosion on the brake discs and dirt on the bake pads occur if the vehicle has
been parked for a long period and if you do not make much use of the braking sys-
tem.
We recommend cleaning the brake discs by firmly applying the brakes at a fairly
high speed if you do not make much use of the braking system or if surface corro-
sion is present ⇒  .
Faults in the brake surface
If you notice that the braking distance has suddenly become longer and that the
brake pedal can be depressed further, it is possible that a brake circuit of the dual-
circuit brake system has failed. Drive, in such cases, to the nearest specialist ga-
rage without delay in order to have the problem rectified. Drive at a reduced
speed while on your way to the dealer and adapt your style of driving to the high-
er brake pedal pressure required. Low brake fluid level
An insufficient level of brake fluid may result in problems in the brake system. The
level of the brake fluid is monitored electronically
⇒ page 28, Brake system . WARNING
● Only apply the brakes for the purpose of drying and cleaning the brake
discs if the traffic conditions permit this. Do not place any other road users in
jeopardy.
● When retrospectively mounting a front spoiler, solid wheel hubs etc. one
must ensure that the air supply to the front wheel brakes is not reduced oth-
erwise the braking system could run too hot.
● Allow for the fact that new brake pads do not achieve their full braking ef-
ficiency until approximately 200 kilometres. New brake pads must be first
“run in
” before they develop their optimal friction force. You can, however,
compensate for this slightly reduced braking force by increasing the pressure
on the brake pedal. This guideline also applies to any new brake pads installed
at a future date. CAUTION
● Never allow the brakes to rub by applying slight pressure if you do not wish to
brake the vehicle. This causes the brakes to overheat and can also result in a lon-
ger braking distance and excessive wear.
● Before negotiating a steep downhill section, please reduce your speed, shift
down into the next lower gear (manual gearbox) or select a lower driving stage
(automatic gearbox). This enables you to make full use of the braking power of
the vehicle and reduces the strain on the brakes. Any additional braking should be
done intermittently, not continuously. Note
The brake light flashes automatically in case of an emergency braking at speeds
greater than 60 km/h or with the intervention of the ABS, which lasts longer than
1.5 seconds. After the speed was reduced below 10 km/h or the vehicle was stop-
ped, the brake light stops flashing and the hazard warning light system switches
on. The hazard warning light system is switched off automatically after accelerat-
ing or driving off again.  157
Intelligent Technology Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data

Driving and the Environment
The first 1 500 kilometres and afterwards
New engine The engine has to be run in during the first 1 500 kilometres.
Up to 1 000 kilometres
– Do not drive faster than 3/4 of the maximum speed of the gear in use, that is
3/4 of the maximum permissible engine speed.
– Do not use full throttle.
– Avoid high engine revolutions.
– Do not tow a trailer.
From 1 000 up to 1 500 kilometres
– Increase the power output of the engine gradually up to the full speed of the
gear engaged, that is up to the maximum permissible engine revolutions.
During the first operating hours the engine has higher internal friction than later
until all of the moving parts have harmonized. The driving style which you adopt
during the first approx.1 500 kilometres plays a decisive part in the success of run-
ning in your car.
You should not drive at unnecessarily high engine revolutions even after the run-
ning-in period is complete. The maximum permissible engine speed is marked by
the beginning of the red zone on the scale of the revolutions counter. Shift up in-
to the next higher gear on a vehicle fitted with manual gearbox before the red
zone is reached. During acceleration (depressing the accelerator) exceptionally
high engine speeds are automatically reduced, yet the engine is not protected
against too high engine speeds which are caused by incorrectly shifting down the
gears resulting in a sudden increase of the engine speeds above the permitted
maximum revolutions which can lead to engine damage.
For a vehicle fitted with a manual gearbox the converse situation also applies: Do
not drive at engine revolutions which are too low. Shift down as soon as the en-
gine is no longer running smoothly. CAUTION
All the speed and engine revolution figures apply only when the engine is at its
normal operating temperature. Never rev up an engine which is cold, neither when
the vehicle is stationary nor when driving in individual gears. For the sake of the environment
Not driving at unnecessarily high engine revolutions and shifting to a higher gear
as early as possible are ways to minimise fuel consumption and operating noise
levels and protects the environment. 
New tyres New tyres have to be “run in” since they do not offer optimal grip at first. You
should take account of this fact for the first 500 kilometres and drive particularly
carefully. 
New brake pads Allow for the fact that new brake pads do not achieve their full braking efficiency
until approximately 200 kilometres. New brake pads must be first “run in” before
they develop their optimal friction force. You can, however, compensate for this
slightly reduced braking force by increasing the pressure on the brake pedal.
This guideline also applies to any new brake pads installed at a future date.
During the running-in period, you should avoid excessive stresses on the brakes.
This includes, for example, violent braking, particularly from very high speeds, and
also when crossing mountain passes. 
Catalytic converter Proper operation of the emission control system (catalytic convert-
er) is of major significance for driving your vehicle in an environ-
mentally conscious way.
Please refer to the following guidelines: £ 161
Driving and the Environment Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data

WARNING (Continued)
● If any splashes of coolant get into your eyes, rinse out your eyes immedi-
ately with clear water and contact a doctor as soon as possible.
● You should also consult a doctor without delay if you have inadvertently
swallowed coolant. CAUTION
Do not continue your journey if for some reason it is not possible under the condi-
tions prevailing to top up with coolant. Switch the engine off and obtain profes-
sional assistance from a specialist garage, otherwise it could lead to severe en-
gine damage. For the sake of the environment
Do not re-use coolant if it is necessary to drain the coolant in the system. It should
be collected and disposed of in compliance with environmental protection regula-
tions. 
Radiator fan The radiator fan may switch on suddenly.
The radiator fan is driven by an electric motor and controlled according to the
coolant temperature.
The radiator fan may continue running for up to 10 minutes after the engine has
been switched off - even if the ignition is also off. It may also switch on suddenly
after a certain time, if
● the coolant temperature has risen because of an accumulation of heat or
● the warm engine compartment is heated up additionally by strong sunlight. WARNING
You must therefore be aware when working in the engine compartment that
the fan may switch on suddenly - risk of injury! Brake fluid
Inspecting the brake fluid level Fig. 153 Engine compartment: Brake flu-
id reservoir
The brake fluid reservoir is located on the left of the engine compartment. The
brake fluid reservoir on right-hand steering models is positioned on the other side
of the engine compartment.
– Switch the engine off.
– Open the bonnet ⇒ page 180 .
– Inspect the brake fluid level in the reservoir ⇒
 fig. 153 . The level must be be-
tween the “MIN” and “MAX” markings.
A slight drop in the fluid level results when driving due to normal wear-and-tear
and automatic adjustment of the brake pads, and is perfectly normal.
There may be an indication of a leak in the brake system, however, if the fluid lev-
el drops significantly within a short time or if it drops below the “MIN” marking. If
the brake fluid level is too low, this is indicated by the warning light lighting up in
the instrument cluster ⇒ page 28, Brake system . In this case stop immediately
and do not drive any further! Obtain professional assistance. WARNING
● Read and observe the warning notes ⇒
 page 181, Working in the engine
compartment before working in the engine compartment.
● If the fluid level has dropped below the MIN marking, do not drive any fur-
ther - risk of accident! Contact a Škoda dealer to obtain professional assis-
tance. 186
Inspecting and Replenishing